Need advice - sanitation hose and adapter

[tcrespo]

I finally broke down and replaced the entire holding tank system (the old bladder had leaks and the smell was just too much). So, I'm just about done and I'm down to the last connection - the intake and pump-out from the holding tank. I'm using 1 1/2 hoses and have the plastic adapters that screw into the Todd holding tank. My problem - I can't for the life of me get these adapters into the hoses. I've used every bit of strength that I have, tried to screw them in, even tried using vaseline and KY - no go. Thought maybe using a hose spreader would be a good idea (memories of the movie RV come to mind), but I can't find one in that size.Any suggestions? BTW - the hoses are all in the boat already, so leverage is a bit of an issue. I didn't want to have to pull them back out - I'm already all cut to pieces from the first installation.On a positive note, the smell is all gone and the first mate is much happier now!Regards,Tom

 

[Dave from Mi.]

Heat

Hi Tom;Just finished installing a new head, I know what you mean. Use a hair dryer on low and heat the hose. When it warms up they go one without too much trouble. Putting them on without heat is almost impossible.Good luck!Fair windsDave

 

[Vladimir24006]

If you are using a "flex PVC" do not apply the heat,( heat should be used on poly pipe). There are few types of 1 1/2" fittings, PVC-very rigid, nylon-softer and regular plastic softer, you should use softer fittings and a bit of silicone it will work. Also if this is a first fitting and other side of pipe is loose you can turn the pipe at the same time (it will work in one direction only)it will go on in no time. If you are using the old pipe you will have a hard time even with softer fitting, flex PVC pipe is not expensive, replace it if you can. I was working in the pool industry it is the same pipe and the fittings

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Hot Water

I always use the coffee maker to heat the water. Pour it in a cup, drop the end of the hose in the cup for a minute or two and then work quickly before the hose cools. Works for me. As for removing the hoses, I always had to cut them off.Tony B

 

[Cest La Vie]

Too much of a good thing

Heat is indeed generally required, but after just finishing a complete installation of a new head, I realized that too much heat is too much. I used a hair dryer that worked well on most hoses, but used a little too much on the last fiting. If you get too much heat on the new hose, it will stretch too much and not keep the seal. Been there, done that. Given the price of quality 1 1/2 inch tubing, it can be an expensive mistake. Bottom line, a little heat and a little bit of that wonderful KY water soluable liquid does the trick.

 

[tcrespo]

All new

The hoses are all new - the old ones were 30 years old and I couldn't free them up for anything (not to mention that they smelled REALLY bad). I am using WM Part # 282236 - from their website - Material: FDA grade PVC Reinforcement: Vinyl helix. I have noticed that it will screw on in one direction (great for the fittings that don't have the little edges on them to grip the pipe). So - I'm thinking that the heat might be the way to go - maybe just a little (I like the hot water idea).So close to finishing this one up - I'll report back with how it works out.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Hot Water

The hot water will evenly distribute the heat and never get hot enough to damage the hose.A few months back, I too replaced my entire sanitation system from the head to the seacock.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

There are two subjects in this thread...

It started out as, "why can't I get the hose onto the fittings?"...and evolved into the pros and cons of using heat.If warming it and a bit of K-Y won't get it onto the fitting, the fitting OD (outer diameter) is too large...replace it with one that is the right size. And btw, that it's marked "1.5 x 1.5" is no guarantee that the OD of the barb IS 1.5...so check it.WARMING the hose with hot water or a blow dryer make it a lot easier to get it onto a fitting. A heat gun is VERY risky, 'cuz overheating a hose will damage it...which is why you should never heat a hose to make it bend tighter than it wants to bend willingly. Warming a hose also makes it a LOT easier to get it OFF a fitting...and in this case, you can use heat gun, 'cuz if you're getting rid of the hose, it doesn't matter if you damage it.

 

[tcrespo]

All done

Finally got around to trying the heat gun method - very low heat, lots of patience and it all worked out fine. Sanitation system is complete, bad odors are gone from the boat and everybody is happy.